Bible Commentaries
Psalms 40

Verses 1-17

Psalms 40

PSALM OF DELIVERANCE

Verses 1-17:

Verse 1 states that David waited patiently for the Lord, expressed in the Hebrew as "waiting I waited" for the Lord and He "inclined unto me and heard my prayer." The patient waiting implies a continuous, unwearied waiting as admonished for people of God today, Hebrews 10:36-37.

Verse 2 declares "He brought (lifted) me up also out of and away from an horrible pit (a roaring cascade) from an hell-like pit, from the miry clay (quick sand like) bottom of the roaring cascade-like pit, much like the miry pit into which Jeremiah was cast, Psalms 69:2; Jeremiah 38:5; Jeremiah 38:10-13. He added that the Lord "set his feet upon a rock," and "established his goings," secured him on an immovable foundation rock and stabilized his life. And that rock of his foundation was Jesus Christ, Psalms 18:2; Psalms 18:33; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Acts 4:11.

Verse 3 testifies "He hath put, placed; or fixed a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God." It is the song of redemption, of new creatures in Christ Jesus, 2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 1:5-6; Revelation 5:9-10. Thus he declares the Lord had: 1) Lifted him up; 2) Set him up; and 3) Tuned him up, adding that many should see it, fear, and trust the Lord, through his testimony and others like him, Psalms 51:12; Psalms 107:2; Acts 1:8. See also Psalms 52:4; Psalms 130:4; Jeremiah 33:9; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Verse 4 is a blessed Davidic utterance that "Blessed" or spiritually prosperous is the man (any man or person) that continually makes the Lord the source of his trust, Jeremiah 17:7; Proverbs 3:3-5. And who does not pay respect to the proud, the self-exalting ones, who turn aside from truth and right to be party to the forging of lies, dishonesty, and lean upon deceitful hopes or idols, Job 36:21; Romans 1:21-23; Romans 1:25; Jeremiah 16:9; Psalms 62:9.

Verse 5 asserts that many are the wondrous works that David’s God had done, as related Exodus 15:11; Job 5:9. He adds that the thoughts of God were also many and wonderful toward Israel, Isaiah 55:8. They were so many that they could not be calculated, and still are, 2 Samuel 7:22-24; Isaiah 63:7; Jeremiah 29:11. They are declared to be "more than the sand of the sea," Psalms 139:17-18.

Verse 6 declares that God desires neither blood (Heb zeback) nor (Heb minchah) unbloody offerings, except they be by faith, which the offerer had in the Lord, else it availed not His favor. Hosea 6:6; 1 Samuel 15:22; Jeremiah 7:22-24. Paul explained that it was not the blood of bulls and goats that "put away" abolished, or remitted sins, but that of Jesus Christ, Hebrews 9:13-14; Hebrews 10:4-10. David added, "mine ears hast thou opened or digged out." The opened, heeding ear symbolized obedience. The open bored or digged out ear of the servant, under Hebrew law, symbolized a willing voluntary servant, yielded to his master for life, even as Jesus was obedient to the Father, to provide eternal life for believers, Exodus 21:6; Deuteronomy 15:17. A body, special body, God prepared for Jesus through which He bore our sins in the body on the cross, 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 10:5-10. To Him all true prophets of Old Testament and New Testament times have called men to believe on Him, that they might receive salvation, remission of sins, or justification before God, Acts 10:43; Acts 15:39; Romans 1:16; Romans 3:25; Romans 4:3; Romans 4:5; Romans 10:9-13.

Verses 7, 8 relate that "then," (az) at that time, when sacrifices and offerings of the Mosaic law had not put away sin, but pointed to Him who did, "when the fullness of time was come," Galatians 4:4; The Son came into the world voluntarily, willingly, and obediently to fulfill the law and do the will of God the Father, with delight, as related John 4:34; Romans 7:22. This He did, even in death, Mark 10:32-34; Luke 9:51; That prophecy had been written of Him and His coming in the volume of the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the Psalms is certified, Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44-45. See also Matthew 26:39; John 6:38; Hebrews 10:7.
Verse 8 further adds "Thy law is (exists) in my heart," the law of Moses which He came to fulfill, Matthew 5:17-18; Exodus 19:1-17; Psalms 78:9-10; Galatians 3:1-29; Romans 10:4.

Verse 9 declares that he (David, type of our Lord) had preached, heralded good tidings of redemption-righteousness in the great congregation, the assembly of Israel, Psalms 107:2; Psalms 145:18-19. See also Daniel 9:24; Romans 3:15-16. The law of God broken by man is vindicated by the law obedience of Jesus Christ as the Holy one, Hebrews 7:26; Isaiah 42:21. He did not refrain his lips from declaring God’s righteousness, as the object of man’s need, Psalms 139:2; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Verse 10 asserts that he had not hid or concealed the righteousness of the Lord in his heart, but had faithfully declared it openly, commending the salvation of the Lord to all, Psalms 40:1-2; Psalms 126:5-6; See also Acts 20:20; Acts 20:27; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 3:2-21; Romans 10:8; Philippians 3:9. He further certified that he had not concealed the loving kindness and truth of the Lord from Israel, the great congregation of God, Psalms 22:22; Psalms 22:25; Psalms 35:18; Hebrews 10:24-25; Ephesians 3:21.

Verse 11 is a Davidic prayer appeal for the Lord to withhold not His tender mercies from him, even as he had not witheld (Heb thikla) refrained his lips from praising the Lord, v.9. He adds "Let thy loving kindness and truth continually preserve me," as he had declared the Lord’s loving kindness and truth to Israel, v.10; See also Psalms 1:6; Psalms 43:3; Psalms 57:3; Psalms 61:7; Psalms 85:10; Hebrews 5:7.

Verse 12 laments that innumerable evils had surrounded him and his own lawless deeds had overtaken him in chastisements. He was not able to look up for guilt, as his sins were more than the hairs of his head, because of which he was fainthearted, in despond, Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 15:28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Psalms 38:4; Psalms 38:10; Job 16:16; Luke 18:13-14; 1 Peter 3:18.

Verses 13, 14 appeal to the Lord to deliver him hastily, forthwith. And he asked the Lord in mighty power to confound or confuse and make ashamed all those who sought to destroy his soul-life. He pled that God might cause them all to be humiliated, driven back, and put to shame who sought to destroy his life and influence in and over Israel, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Romans 2:6-8.

Verse 15 concludes David’s imprecatory prayer for the Lord to cause his enemies to be made desolate, brought to just shame, immediately, who said "aha, aha" to him in his hours of chastening and sorrows, Psalms 22:7-8; Psalms 35:21-22; Psalms 35:27.

Verse 16 asks that the Lord let all who sought him rejoice and be glad, Psalms 107:2; Philippians 4:4. He added that he desired the best for all who loved the Lord’s salvation, and desired that He let them continually magnify Him, John 2:9; Romans 1:15-16; Psalms 150:1-6; Matthew 5:15-16; Acts 1:8.

Verse 17 concludes David’s cry to the Lord that he is "poor and needy," under his persecutions and afflictions, even as one who is impoverished, Isaiah 41:17; Matthew 8:20; 2 Corinthians 8:9. Yet he rejoiced that the Lord thought upon, was considerate of, or cared for him, and was his helper and deliverer out of his cares, Nehemiah 5:19; John 1:6; 1 Peter 5:7. Then he cried for the Lord not to tarry, but come at once to his help. God is never slow, late, or ahead of time in helping or rescuing His people, for He knows just what and when one really has a need that is real, Habakkuk 2:3; Luke 12:45; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 22:20.